In a nutshellSouth Africa's player of the 20th century, and perhaps the finest left-hand batsman the game has ever produced, Graeme Pollock played only 23 Tests, but those were enough to rank him among the game's all-time greats. More

Perhaps the finest left-hand batsman the game has ever produced - Donald Bradman certainly thought so, classing only Garry Sobers as his equal among those he saw play. Another deprived of greater exposure by South Africa's isolation, Pollock showed in his 23 Tests what an awesome talent he possessed; his highest score of 274 was for many years the South African Test record. Pollock was an extremely powerful batsman, although his timing was perhaps his most obvious natural asset, and could also bowl effective legspin at times. He scored his maiden first-class century when he was just 16 and then posted his first Test hundred at 19 in Australia. Part of the cricketing Pollock family, brother of Peter and uncle to Shaun, he now sits on the South African selection committee. Neil Manthorp

He played only 23 Tests, but finished with 2256 runs and an average bordering on 61 - among the best for any batsman

Timeline

February 27, 1944 Little Dog cometh

Is born into a Scottish family. His father, Andrew, is a former first-class cricketer. Earns the nickname Little Dog because of his queer-sounding lbw appeals; his brother Peter is Big Dog.

1953 Three figures in short pants

At age nine, he takes all 10 wickets and scores 117 (111 out of 120 at one point) for Grey High School. Agrees to go and collect the ball himself after one of his sixes ends in a nearby cemetery.

December 9, 1960 First-class cricketer in the summer hols

In a career distinguished by the precociousness, Pollock makes his first-class debut for Eastern Province at the age of 16, during his school's summer vacation. Playing against Border, he scores 54 in the only batting chance he gets in a nine-wicket win. A legspinner by then, he takes 2 for 52 in Border's second innings.

During a four-wicket win against Transvaal B, at 16, he becomes the youngest South African to score a first-class century, a record that stays until Daryll Cullinan takes it away in 1983-84.

March 15-18, 1963 Youngest South African double-centurion

Against an International Cavaliers attack featuring Richie Benaud and Graham McKenzie, Pollock, at 19, becomes the youngest South African to score a double-century. Benaud calls the effort "magnificent".

1963-64 First Test tour

Scores 25 on Test debut in Brisbane, followed by centuries in his third and fourth Tests, in Sydney and Adelaide, becoming the youngest South African to score a Test hundred, a record that still stands. In Adelaide, he shares a South African third-wicket partnership record of 341 with Eddie Barlow.

Pollock's career progression has the makings of that of an all-time great when he takes on Australia in the home series, not knowing it will be his last Test series. He manages to break Jackie McGlew's record for the highest score by a South African when he scores 274 in Durban, another record that Cullinan would go on to break. At 26, his career is about to come to an end because of South Africa's sporting isolation in response to apartheid.

April 1971 Protest against apartheid

Takes part in a protest against the government, along with Barry Richards and Mike Procter among others. During a match to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Republic of South Africa, the players from both teams walk off after one ball, issuing a joint statement that supports South African Cricket Association's application to invite non-whites to tour Australia, and also the idea that merit be the only criterion on the cricket field.

October 19, 1974 A-Lister

While out of international cricket, Pollock continues playing unofficial Tests against breakaway teams and also domestic cricket. Playing in the Gillette Cup one-day competition, he scores the first List A double-century, 222 not out against Border in a 60-over match. It remains the highest individual List A score until Ali Brown surpasses it in 2002.

News leaks that along with Barry Richards, Mike Procter and Eddie Barlow, Pollock has signed one of Kerry Packer's "lucrative contracts to play an eight-week series of matches throughout the world". Pollock, however, is not allowed to play because he is a South African and has zero county experience, which means he doesn't qualify as a "professional" cricketer. His three-year contract is paid out in full.

1978-79 New first-class experience

Aged 34, changes teams, from Eastern Province to Transvaal, a move many think will enrich and extend his playing days.

March 13-16, 1987 All good things come to an end

Calls time on a 27-year first-class career during which he scores 20,940 runs and 64 centuries. In his final match, against Western Province, he scores 4 and 63 in a draw that wins Transvaal the Castle Currie Cup.

Is named South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century by a panel appointed by the United Cricket Board. Says: "When you consider who did not make the final 10 and the stature of the other players who did make it, well it was a special thrill. I was quite relaxed and happy to be included in the final 10."

Pollock was a success in his first domestic season when an International Cavaliers side, featuring such bowlers as Richie Benaud and Graham McKenzie, came touring. The Eastern Province Invitation XI could score only 263 in the first innings, and fell behind by 138 runs. Then Pollock announced himself to the world. From 24 for 2 in the second innings, he scored 209 out of the 331 further runs. His innings gave Peter van der Merwe enough runs to declare, and Eastern Province nearly eked out a win. Benaud described the innings as "magnificent", and later said, "I knew I was watching a champion."

122 and 42 v Australia, Sydney, 1963-64

Pollock was 19 when he was selected for the 1963-64 tour of Australia. He had a disappointing start to the tour, making 25 and 16 and 2 in the first two Tests. With questions raised over his place in the side before the Sydney Test, he became the youngest South African to score a Test century. On a pitch generous enough with grass to see Australia bowled out for 260, Pollock produced an innings of fierce strokeplay. His 122 came out of 186 in three hours and 41 minutes; the second fifty of his century came in 17 scoring strokes. Don Bradman said, "Next time you decide to play like that, send me a telegram."

125 and 59 v England, Trent Bridge, 1965

In his autobiography, Pollock described the first-innings 125 at Trent Bridge as his best knock. He came in at 16 for 2, saw the innings disintegrate to 80 for 5, and made 125 out of the 162 that were added while he batted. It was indeed one of the finest Test displays at the time. It was divided into two parts. In 70 minutes before lunch, Pollock felt his way tentatively while making 34. Afterwards he reigned supreme for 69 more minutes, while he lashed the bowling for 91 out of 102. For the most part his strokes were clean, and he offered no chance until Colin Cowdrey smartly held him at slip. Peter, Pollock's brother, followed his batting exploits with a 10-wicket haul to secure South Africa their first win in England in 10 years.

During the whitewash of the best side of the time, Pollock broke Jackie McGlew's South African Test record of 255 in Durban. It was also Pollock's first century at Kingsmead. He reached 100 in two hours and 50 minutes, and 200 in five hours and seven minutes; altogether he batted three minutes under seven hours. He hit one five and 43 fours. His concentration never wavered, and he attacked continuously and with merciless efficiency. About Pollock's partnership with Barry Richards, the opposing captain, Bill Lawry, said: "Never have I seen the ball hit with such power by two players at the same time."

222 not out v Border, East London, 1974-75

Pollock was before his time: he would have been a perfect fit in today's game. The timing of his strokes was exquisite, he could hit with real power, and his placement was unparalleled. Although he hit just 11 sixes in Tests, most of his big innings came at a high pace. In domestic one-day cricket, he set a record that took 27 years to break, coming in at 48 for 2 and scoring 222 out of the 324 subsequent runs in a 60-over match. His knock is still the second-highest in all List A cricket.